Dolmen des Petits Fradets, Dolmen in L'Île-d'Yeu, France
The dolmen des Petits Fradets, also known as the Maison de la Gournaise, is a Neolithic megalithic grave on the northwest coast of L'Île-d'Yeu, near the beach of La Gournaise. It is built from orthogneiss stone and consists of a corridor leading to a chamber, covered by two large flat slabs, the longer of which measures over 13 feet (about 4 meters).
The dolmen was built during the Neolithic period, more than 4,000 years ago, most likely as a burial site for the island's early inhabitants. In 1889 it was officially listed as a protected monument, and in the early 1900s archaeologist Marcel Baudouin excavated the site, uncovering a stone tool and a paved surface.
The name "Petits Fradets" comes from "farfadet," a local word for a mischievous little sprite from folk tales. This playful name suits a place that local storytellers have long surrounded with legend and mystery.
The site sits on the northwest coast of L'Île-d'Yeu and is best reached on foot or by bicycle, as the island's paths are easy to follow. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, since the ground around the stones can be uneven.
In 2014, one of the large cover stones fell, causing some of the upright supporting stones to lean or shift out of position. The structure is still readable today, but this recent collapse gives a clear sense of how fragile these ancient arrangements can be.
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